HYUNDAI MODELS TOP J.D. POWER QUALITY RANKING IN US

HYUNDAI announced that three of its 2014 models—Genesis, Elantra and Accent—have received in the US J.D. Power’s highest award for initial quality in their respective segments.

Hyundai said it ranked fourth overall in initial quality, climbing six spots from last year, and was the highest-ranked non-premium brand in the US study. The carmaker said it had six vehicles in the top three positions in their segments, including two second-place finishes for the Santa Fe and Sonata and a third-place finish for the Equus. This year’s results mark the third time Hyundai has been the highest-ranked non-premium brand in the past 10 years, and the third time it finished among the top four brands overall, according to the company.

The award comes from the J.D. Power 2014 US Initial Quality Study (IQS). Now on its 28th consecutive year, IQS is the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality, measured at 90 days of ownership.

Hyundai explained IQS serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality and has proven to be an excellent predictor of long-term reliability, which may significantly impact new-vehicle purchase decisions. The focus of the study is model-level performance and comparison of individual models to similar models in respective segments, which helps manufacturers worldwide to design and produce higher-quality vehicles.

In addition to victories in three vehicle segments, Hyundai said it “substantially reduced problems per 100 vehicles and finished fourth overall, gaining six rank positions compared with 2013.” The carmaker said its overall score was 94 problems per 100 vehicles, 12 fewer than last year and 22 fewer problems than the industry average, which actually deteriorated three problems per 100 compared with 2013. Also, the Genesis scored back-to-back in its segment while the Accent, with a mere 65 problems per 100, was the second-highest performing vehicle in the study.

The 2014 US IQS is based on responses from more than 86,118 purchasers and lessees of new 2014 model-year cars, trucks and multi-activity vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership.